US opposes Koreas’ plan for no-fly zone

The United States has opposed a plan by South and North Korea to set up a no-fly zone over their heavily fortified border - the latest sign of a rift between Seoul and its top ally, reports Al-Jazeera. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency on Thursday that US officials have raised concerns that the no-fly zone could undermine defence readiness and comes without substantial progress on denuclearisation. Washington and Seoul both publicly insist they are on the same page about dealing with Pyongyang.

However, behind the scenes, there are growing signs of disagreement as South and North Korea forge ahead with plans to defuse military tensions and rebuild economic ties. The military accord, sealed during last month's summit in Pyongyang, is one of the most concrete agreements between the two Asian neighbours this year.  The pact includes a halt in "all hostile acts," a no-fly zone around the border and a gradual removal of landmines and guard posts within the Demilitarised Zone.

US Secretary of State Pompeo expressed "discontent" with the agreement during a phone call, South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said last week in a rare disclosure of discord between the allies. The US was not likely to openly protest against an inter-Korean initiative, Seoul officials said, but its deep involvement in sanctions enforcement and military operations give it leverage to delay or change the policy.

The no-fly zone is a key sticking point for the US because it would effectively prevent close air support drills, the sources said, adding that Pompeo raised the issue during the call with Kang. Both sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The zone, effective November 1, will extend 40km north and south from the Military Demarcation Line in the east and 20km in the west for fixed-wing aircraft. The agreement also bars live-fire drills involving fixed-wing aircraft and air-to-ground guided weapons in the no-fly area. South Korea and the US had held such drills regularly until halting joint exercises in June.

US opposes Koreas plan for no-fly zone

The United States has opposed a plan by South and North Korea to set up a no-fly zone over their heavily fortified border - the latest sign of a rift between Seoul and its top ally, reports Al-Jazeera. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency on Thursday that US officials have raised concerns that the no-fly zone could undermine defence readiness and comes without substantial progress on denuclearisation. Washington and Seoul both publicly insist they are on the same page about dealing with Pyongyang. However, behind the scenes, there are growing signs of disagreement as South and North Korea forge ahead with plans to defuse military tensions and rebuild economic ties. The military accord, sealed during last months summit in Pyongyang, is one of the most concrete agreements between the two Asian neighbours this year. The pact includes a halt in all hostile acts, a no-fly zone around the border and a gradual removal of landmines and guard posts within the Demilitarised Zone. US Secretary of State Pompeo expressed discontent with the agreement during a phone call, South Koreas Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said last week in a rare disclosure of discord between the allies. The US was not likely to openly protest against an inter-Korean initiative, Seoul officials said, but its deep involvement in sanctions enforcement and military operations give it leverage to delay or change the policy. The no-fly zone is a key sticking point for the US because it would effectively prevent close air support drills, the sources said, adding that Pompeo raised the issue during the call with Kang. Both sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The zone, effective November 1, will extend 40km north and south from the Military Demarcation Line in the east and 20km in the west for fixed-wing aircraft. The agreement also bars live-fire drills involving fixed-wing aircraft and air-to-ground guided weapons in the no-fly area. South Korea and the US had held such drills regularly until halting joint exercises in June.